Political analysts have been speculating that a potential partnership between the Pheu Thai party and the Democrats may occur as the 2019 Thai election will take place in less than a month. This would be a dangerous compromise for the Democrat party as they lose their 20-year identity in fighting Thaksin and his corruption. However, who becomes PM through this partnership could sink both blue and red voters into misery.

The original plan of Pheu Thai party was to form 3 additional parties for a coalition, as the new electoral system (mixed member apportionment system or MMA) delegates power to small and medium-sized parties and party-list seats will be harder to earn. Voters cast one vote on who their preferred MP is, and that vote will automatically cast a party vote from whatever party the MP comes from. However, the coalition plan might not be enough to form a government, as the Thai Raksa Chart party may face dissolution for unconstitutionally nominating Princess Ubolratana as a PM candidate.

It would not be shocking for such an event to occur, as political debates have shown that the blues and reds have dissipated their traditional vulgarity towards one another. But they will have to agree on who becomes PM if they won and rumors suggested that Thaksin is willing to shake on Mr.Abhisit for the spot as a trade with his projected 100 constituencies.

The move would be an act of desperation on the Democrat’s behalf, who failed to ever win the heart of the Thai people on their own. Their highest achievements in recent memory is the “talk the talk, but doesn’t walk the walk” reputation, which means they never do as they say. Also, although the court found him not guilty, it was Mr. Abhisit who sat as the Prime Minister when when he failed to maintain peace and order during the red-shirt political gatherings. These events will never be forgotten for Thaksin supporters.

A substantial number of Democrat supporters on the other hand would never approve of Thaksin, as we have seen with all other protests attempting to remove all other Prime Ministers directly linked to his control. The recent 2014 Bangkok Shutdown protests saw a significant number of deaths in the blue camp, and fingers were subsequently pointed at the reds.

Although the executives from the Democrats and Pheu Thai party can attempt to label this partnership as a “necessity for democracy”, the move would have a negative impact on the identity of the party and would be a disgrace to those who were considered martyrs on both ends.

Mr. Abhisit’s personal desperation to become Prime Minister (again) has already stood as the demise of his own governance when he had the chance. The general public’s outcry of his character as “too weak” and “indecisive” summarizes the entirety of his political achievements, appeasing with all sides to the point where he loses respect from both ends.

Thaksin is also desperate go gain control of Thailand’s political landscape, perhaps to solely have an elected government propose another Amnesty Bill for his wrong-doings. Afterall, it was he who fully controlled the legislative, executive and judicial branches for protecting personal interests. Thaksin’s election strategy has always been to guarantee a victory, but a coalition of his proxy parties might prove to be inadequate for that to happen. Therefore, he is using Abhisit’s desperation to become Prime Minister as a bargaining chip for this alliance. 

Peace and reconciliation will always stand as the best alternative. However, both Pheu Thai and the Democrats are convicted of political crimes/injustices towards one another which remain unsolved, and a partnership would mean giving each other amnesty which is not fair to supporters who were victims in this chaos.

 Protestors from both sides took it to the streets through blood, sweat and tears with the intent to restore justice and promote accountability for those who robbed Thailand. Now that it has become clear that both cannot win on their own, they are willing to sell fake peace while spitting on the graves of their supporters…all for the sake of winning. Is this what the Thai people deserve? Is this what we have come to?